2026 Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Physics master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 959 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than Stanford University this year in the United States. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Stanford University Physics students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. Read more about Stanford University
Northwestern University came in at #2 on this year's Physics ranking in the United States. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical Physics student debt is $16,616. See the full Northwestern University profile
The strong Physics programs at Illinois Institute Of Technology earned it the #3 place in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $52,202. The median Physics program debt is $26,774. See the full Illinois Institute Of Technology profile
You'll be in good company at University Of Arizona, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. University Of Arizona Physics students take on a median of $20,650 in debt. See the full University Of Arizona profile
A rank of #5 makes University Of Chicago one of the top choices in the United States. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Read more about University Of Chicago
Northeastern University placed #6 among Physics schools in the United States. Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Graduates carry a median of $26,797 in student loans. More on Northeastern University
Rochester Institute Of Technology placed #7 among Physics schools in the United States. Set in Rochester, NY, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. In-state tuition and fees run about $59,210. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full Rochester Institute Of Technology profile
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. University Of California Santa Barbara is a public school based in Santa Barbara, CA. About 83% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Graduates carry a median of $15,982 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Santa Barbara report
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. This public school is set in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
Wake Forest University landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Set in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,642. Wake Forest University Physics students take on a median of $21,577 in debt. Read more about Wake Forest University
Christopher Newport University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Christopher Newport University is a public school based in Newport News, VA. Christopher Newport University posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. In-state tuition and fees average $16,828, with out-of-state students paying around $31,178. Christopher Newport University Physics students take on a median of $25,094 in debt. Read the full report on Christopher Newport University
Cornell University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. Cornell University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Typical Physics student debt is $15,961. More on Cornell University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,594 to complete their Physics program here. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
University Of Delaware placed #14 among Physics schools in the United States. Located in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical Physics student debt is $26,572. Read more about University Of Delaware
University Of Houston ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Located in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. University Of Houston graduates 65% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. University Of Houston Physics students take on a median of $25,925 in debt. Get the full University Of Houston report
University Of Wyoming did well this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in Laramie, WY. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical Physics student debt is $20,283. More on University Of Wyoming
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical Physics student debt is $20,500. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Johns Hopkins University placed #18 among Physics schools in the United States. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete their Physics program here. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
The University Of Texas At Austin did well this year, earning the #19 position. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical Physics student debt is $20,333. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
Iowa State University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,495 to complete their Physics program here. Get the full Iowa State University report
Drexel University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Graduates carry a median of $30,847 in student loans. See the full Drexel University profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #22 among Physics schools in the United States. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete their Physics program here. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
Baylor University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Baylor University is a private not-for-profit school based in Waco, TX. Baylor University posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Typical Physics student debt is $23,928. Read the full report on Baylor University
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #24 position. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Graduates carry a median of $20,194 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
University Of California Berkeley landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. University Of California Berkeley Physics students take on a median of $15,508 in debt. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Temple University placed #26 among Physics schools in the United States. This public school is set in Philadelphia, PA. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Get the full Temple University report
University Of Rochester ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Located in Rochester, NY, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Rochester posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. The median Physics program debt is $19,000. Get the full University Of Rochester report
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #28 among Physics schools in the United States. Located in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. The median Physics program debt is $19,200. More on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. The median Physics program debt is $21,948. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus
Towson University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Towson University is a public school based in Towson, MD. Towson University graduates 70% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete their Physics program here. Read the full report on Towson University
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Set in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. See the full Colorado State University Fort Collins profile
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Graduates carry a median of $17,522 in student loans. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #33 among Physics schools in the United States. Set in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Typical Physics student debt is $22,337. See the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus profile
University Of Notre Dame came in at #34 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,025. The median Physics program debt is $21,500. Read the full report on University Of Notre Dame
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete their Physics program here. See the full University Of California Los Angeles profile
Texas Tech University placed #36 among Physics schools in the United States. Texas Tech University is a public school based in Lubbock, TX. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full Texas Tech University report
University Of Virginia Main Campus did well this year, earning the #37 position. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. The median Physics program debt is $18,627. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete their Physics program here. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Nevada Reno ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Based in Reno, NV, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. University Of Nevada Reno graduates 61% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Graduates carry a median of $19,918 in student loans. Get the full University Of Nevada Reno report
North Carolina State University At Raleigh did well this year, earning the #40 position. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. The median Physics program debt is $23,490. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
University Of Colorado Boulder did well this year, earning the #41 position. Based in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. University Of Colorado Boulder posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,635 in student loans. See the full University Of Colorado Boulder profile
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Blacksburg, VA. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Physics program here. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #43 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,113 to complete their Physics program here. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Based in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,078. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Physics students take on a median of $20,270 in debt. See the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute profile
West Virginia University placed #45 among Physics schools in the United States. Set in Morgantown, WV, West Virginia University is a public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. The median Physics program debt is $23,772. More on West Virginia University
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school based in Columbus, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,357 in student loans. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
Boston University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Located in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Boston University Physics students take on a median of $25,232 in debt. More on Boston University
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College did well this year, earning the #48 position. Located in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Typical Physics student debt is $21,348. Read more about Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #49 among Physics schools in the United States. University Of Missouri St Louis is a public school based in Saint Louis, MO. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete their Physics program here. See the full University Of Missouri St Louis profile
Colorado School Of Mines placed #50 among Physics schools in the United States. Located in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Typical Physics student debt is $24,521. Read more about Colorado School Of Mines
Related Physics Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Physics Schools (All Levels)
- Best Physics Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Physics Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Physics Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Physics Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Physics Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 959 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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